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City Report · NJ

North Plainfield

Pop. 22,809·153rd most expensive in New Jersey·Rental market data updated monthly for North Plainfield, NJ
Median rent (all units)
$2,100/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.6%
vs US Median
+$138
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
North Plainfield · $2,100
More expensive than 64% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,100/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$84,000/yr
Local median income
$87,349/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using North Plainfield's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,349
1 BR
$1,675
2 BR
$1,907
3 BR
$2,074
4 BR+
$2,274
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,907/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,100 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$25,200/yr
At $2,100/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

North Plainfield, NJ is roughly split between renters and owners, 24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,809
Median income
$87,349
Median age
36.2
Renters
46.7%
Age distribution
23.3%
24.9%
27.2%
15.3%
Under 1823.3%
18–3424.9%
35–5427.2%
55–6415.3%
65+9.3%
Gender
47.4%
52.6%
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Race & ethnicity
21%
23.1%
54.7%
White21%
Black23.1%
Hispanic54.7%
Asian4.1%
Education (25+)
17.8%
27.3%
30.6%
24.3%
No HS diploma17.8%
HS diploma27.3%
Some college30.6%
Bachelor's+24.3%
Housing tenure
53.3%
46.7%
Owner53.3%
Renter46.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How North Plainfield, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$76,355 → $87,349
up 14.4%
Population
22,635 → 22,809
up 0.8%
Renter share
43% → 46.7%
+3.7 pts
Bachelor's+
30.3% → 24.3%
-6.0 pts

Household income in the area moved from $76,355 to $87,349 across the same window, up 14.4% versus 2021. Renters now make up 46.7% of households, compared with 43% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 24.3% of adults here, versus 30.3% in 2021.

Community

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View North Plainfield rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in North Plainfield on your salary?

At $2,100/mo, how North Plainfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

North Plainfield rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in North Plainfield. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in North Plainfield

About renting in North Plainfield, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in North Plainfield is $2,100/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,349/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,907/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,675/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,074/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($87,349/yr), North Plainfield ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is North Plainfield an affordable city for renters?

North Plainfield is considered affordable for renters. At $2,100/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($87,349/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. North Plainfield falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in North Plainfield?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $84,000/year (~$40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,100/mo in North Plainfield. The local median household income is $87,349/yr, meaning the typical North Plainfield household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in North Plainfield?

Rent in North Plainfield has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does North Plainfield rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?

North Plainfield is one of the more affordable cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #153 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,100/mo.

What percentage of North Plainfield residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.7% of North Plainfield households are renters, while 53.3% are owner-occupied. North Plainfield leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does North Plainfield rent compare to the national average?

North Plainfield's median rent of $2,100/mo is $138 (7%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #153 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,100/mo, rent takes ~29% of North Plainfield's median household income ($87,349/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

North Plainfield 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the North Plainfield affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near North Plainfield, NJ

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